2020 MLS Regular Season – Week 9
Nashville SC vs. Orlando City SC
Nissan Stadium – Nashville
September 2 – 8:30 PM ET
STREAMING: MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US, on DAZN in Canada
LOCAL TV: FOX 35 Plus, MyTV30
One week after a 3-1 loss at Exploria Stadium, Nashville SC hope to avenge that defeat and win their second game in a row when they host Orlando City SC Wednesday night at Nissan Stadium.
That won't be easy, though, as the Lions are coming to Music City with momentum from back-to-back 3-1 wins, including a historic first-ever victory over Atlanta United.
In that meeting between the Southeast sides, Daryl Dike struck for a second-half brace after Chris Mueller canceled out Dave Romney's opening goal in the 15th minute.
Nashville SC
Nashville SC bounced back well from that defeat to knock off expansion brethren Inter Miami CF, 1-0, Sunday night at home. Anibal Godoy scored the lone goal in the 53rd minute as Nashville got back in the win column following consecutive defeats. In the club's third game in eight days and after back-to-back defeats on the road, coach Gary Smith switched things up in his midfield, giving Brian Anunga and new signing Alex Muyl their first starts.
"Let's look at Brian Anunga, his very first start in MLS, his full debut, he plays 90 minutes and he was absolutely outstanding in midfield," Smith said in his post-match press conference. "It was exactly what the team needed, more bite, more energy. The guys that have played in there were certainly needing a rest and it enabled me to rotate that a little bit more. To that degree I'm so pleased for the lad, he's an incredibly genuine person."
- Updated team roster
- Injury Report:
- OUT: Jimmy Medranda (D) - hip injury
- OUT: Ken Tribbett (D) - calf injury
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: Daniel Lovitz (D)
- International duty: None
Orlando City SC
Junior Urso and Mueller scored first-half goals and Nani put the finishing touches on a huge win just three minutes after Brooks Lennon gave Atlanta a lifeline. Orlando's 3-1 win over the Five Stripes meant much more than just three points in the standings. It was also finally some bragging rights for their fans, who have heard all too often about the Lions record against Atlanta.
In the win, Daryl Dike continued to impress with an assist on Mueller's goal. That comes after a brace against Nashville and a goal and assist against Inter Miami.
“Daryl is doing very well," head coach Oscar Pareja told reporters on a virtual press conference on Monday. "He’s a young player who has absorbed all the information in the best way, and fast. He has rapidly taken responsibility, concepts and ideas of our game and implemented into his game. He’s been very productive.”
- Updated team roster
- Injury Report:
- OUT: Dom Dwyer (F) - knee injury
- QUESTIONABLE: Joao Moutinho (D) - groin injury
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: Joao Moutinho (D)
- International duty: None
Series Matchup
- This is the second all-time meeting between Nashville SC and Orlando City SC with the Lions winning 3-1 in Week 8.
Officials
- Referee: Jair Marrufo
- Assistant Referees: Kathryn Nesbitt, Benjamin Hall-Volpenhein
- 4th Official: Natalie Simon
- VAR: Chris Penso
